2006, Most Likely

Gainesville

What's with you losers? Going to bed before midnight??! We watched the Giants/Raiders game, and now are watching ESPN's Times Square coverage (beats hell out of Dick Clark).

Well. we didn't watch too closely -- Bill was playing with his PSP, and I was working on solving my first Sudoku on paper. Up til now I've only donethem on line, where you can check your moves as you go along. Today I bought a book that has huge grids (room for possibilities) and some good hints on basic solving. It took me a couple of hours, but at least I finally did one!

And now it's several hours later, and the connection to blogger has failed. Who knows if this deathless prose will ever make it online.

It turned suddenly warm here, in the 70s-- quite a shock after our long cold spell. Publix was a zoo, but I got the stuff needed for lasagne, and for a decent meal tonight of fish baked under a cheese /onion/red pepper sauce. Nice local strawberries and California tangelos made the basis for a fruit salad, and the magic peeler Sandy gave me made it easy to prepare broccoli the way it should be.

A new year is here. No resolutions-- there is no wagon, I have not fallen off, will just jump in where I am. Glasses of excellent champagne left out for the gods, and plans for a bacon and eggs breakfast. It will do.

Here's to a better one.

happy new year

Spring Valley

Mom is tucked into bed, and we are headed there. Nice prime rib dinner, pleasant evening here. Owls hooting in the woods.

Wishing all of you a fine year in 2006!

Fire Works (D)

Gainesville

Just spent the time I should have been blogging going through the mechanics of contacting the Gainesville Sun about running Marla's and Leanne's columns in the paper. It would be great to see them there, and it's the least I can do to help them spread the word. I cling to my basic routines, a life raft no matter what is going on around me. Doing one thing after another always gets me through and usually kick-starts what might otherwise be a lost day. Or weekend. Or week. Love Live FlyLady!

I spent way too much time on the puzzle today, and did not do many of the wonderful things I had planned. But I did my morning routines and put dinner on the table. The chaos isn't any worse, and I actually got a few things put away. I count that as a win.

Even though it's Friday, usually cook's night off, I decided to cook anyway, since I skipped Wednesday. I had a bag of cole slaw I wanted to use, so made Unstuffed Cabbage, one of our favorites out of the 15-Minute Low Carb book. It was yummy, as always, and so easy. Also had the last of the freezer rolls from Christmas. I had planned to do the frozen unbaked lumps that you let rise for hours and then bake, I've been delighted with the Poppin' Fresh things Bill brought home by mistake. They take 6 minutes in the oven, and they are just lovely. The only problem is they take up so much room in the freezer.

Yes, the tale told in that letter to Pa and Dan had a happy ending, another 40 years full of life and adventure for Dad, but it is still heart-wrenching to read about it just now, and I can't imagine what it must have been like for Chris. I've always been impressed by the way you handled that situation, Mom; somehow you figured out what he needed just then-- to design and build another dream house. And when that was finished, the traveling began. It was well met and well done.

And now, a return to the kid's diary. I will start marking them in the title line, so they're easier to find.

[Vacation symbol]
[Date surrounded by drawings of fireworks and BANG]
Friday, July 4, 1952
186th Day--180 Days to Follow

Independence Day
Dear Diary
We cleaned up the house this morn & then had lunch down here with Brenda & Susie. While Sandy was at riding, Dan gave us $2.00 Good [x-d out: old] young Dan. We bought more fireworks. Was sandy surprised!! I had Toby at riding. We ate Dinner outside. Our cousins & Pa & Dan watched the fire works. GOOD. Suzy

[Vacation symbol]
Saturday, July 5, 1952
187th Day--179 Days to Follow

Dear Diary
We did our work this morning and after lunch we went up to Lala's house. Sandy & I are spending the week here. When Mom & Dad left we saw a grass fire out the window. After dinner we went & saw where it was. We saw movies on T.V. with George Brent, B. Rath[drawing of bone], Lorraine Day, Joel McCrea & Tom Massy. Suzy

Post

Gainesville

We didn't get Blue into the shop yesterday (nor today) but we did take the GPS out for a test drive-- Bill said to pick a nearby spot, and I chose Melrose, where there is an art gallery I've been interested in finding. It was fun-- the thing works great, although it will let you miss turns and not inform you for a block or two. And in a couple of cases out in the sticks, it got confused-- but even then, it zeroed in on exactly where we were, and it was easy enough to find out way back out. It also has a nice feature that lets you just tell it to go "Home".

Didn't do much today except four loads of laundry and various odds and ends. Finished up Bill's Christmas cards. Spent way too much time on the puzzle. Dinner out.

I asked Bill what he'd like for a NY Day dinner-- he said lasagna! He's planning to go back to a week of Atkins "induction" at the first of the year, and wants a carb blowout as a send-off. He is almost at his goal of 165, his weight in college-- just another 5 pounds! It has taken 2 years to get this far, but it's been worth it. He looks and feels great. I'm proud of him for sticking with it this long. Anyway, I'll do the full-tilt lasagne number, with separately-cooked pasta, part sausage, etc. A lot of work, but nothing compared with the Bird plus trimmings thing.

I need to face up to the post-Christmas chaos. I've taken notes of the FL Missions, but haven't done any of them. All the mess is in the big room, where we don't spend too much time, so it's easy to just let it go and work on it slowly. The puzzle is in there, so at least I'm reminded that it needs attention. The artificial tree makes that easier to ignore too-- no rush to get the fire hazzard out of there.

Sleep now.

Christmas, Part II

Gainesville

Hope I can stop sneezing long enough to type. Must be my turn to fight off the thing making the rounds of Bill's office the week I was off. It's very cold here again, so I go from heater to heater. But I have fun each place I go-- playing with the new toys and making progress of the most excellent puzzle Sandy gave me. Have all the text done, and now am starting on the borders-- very difficult, as many pieces are cut exactly alike on one side or the other.

To continue from yesterday's account of the Christmas meal, I roasted two batches of vegetables-- one was carrots, rutabagas and two varieties of fingerling potatoes that I julienned and did as in FC #70-- let them get very crisp, then added some butter after they came out. The other batch was onions, red and green peppers, sliced jalapenos and quartered mushrooms. (I'd intented to add some of Sandy's garlic, but forgot.) I finally made the Belgian endive/spinach salad from EdF, and put it on the table, but there was too much else. We had it the next night, along with the rolls I'd not gotten done either. The meal took two nights to get through!

I packaged and froze most of the ham, but left out the bone. Today I found a package of 15-Bean soup mix and used to ham bone to make it (with added onions, tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice and chili powder). It came out amazingly well, and was great to have on this cold night. There is a ton left over, but no room in the freezer to put anything else!

More good stuff in the mail today-- three jars of Morea stuffed green olives from Sandy-- they are indeed extraordinary-- the way I remember olives tasting when we were kids. I think the secret it the pimentos-- made from actual roasted peppers and hand stuffed. The pungent taste of the skin (left on) infuses the olives. Made for quite a Martini experience tonight, you betcha.

Also got Mom's amazing card. Just astonishing what you can do with that scanner! As Bill remarked, the fir branches are so real it looks as if they are embossed. And what a great job Marty did with the Soares pictures. I think that is the handsomest Christmas card photo treatment I've ever seen. Very very well done!

We're planning to take Blue to the shop early tomorrow-- muffler needs replacing, and some work on the electrical system is overdue. We will try out the Garmin (the GPS gizmo) on the way back. I haven't left the house for three days-- glorious! This is what I call a vacation. Miss the paper and the crosswords, though.

Keep meaning to mention the wonderful One Big Happy on Christmas Day (I get it it, among others, online.) Rick Detorie is giving Walt Kelley a run for the money in the fractured carol division-- Ruthie's takes are priceless, and I love the way she is drawn-- totally into it, utterly unselfconscious. Great stuff!

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I'm enjoying the Liz/Paul/Warren triangle in FBoFW. I spotted "Mr. Right" the instant he appeared, even before Elly hauled out Liz's picture. All making it less likely she'll get drawn into Anthony's mess, which I'd really hate.

Christmas, Part I

Gainesville

Nice to have a day when I didn't HAVE to do anything, and I didn't. Slept late, set up the puzzle and got started on it. It's a good one-- has several areas that looked immediately do-able, and two actually were, but the third is proving hard. It's going to be a challenge, but not overwhelming. Perfect.

Bill gave me a fabulous portable GPS system for the car! It has a bright color display, and it talks. I haven't begun to learn all its ins and outs. Spent quite a bit of time today playing with it, loading maps, doing minimal programming. We will really make good use of this when next we go to the Bay Area, Sandy. I was able to put a pointer at the Marina Village Inn (which it knew about by name) and another at 228 Florence, and then tell it to plot a route between the two. You can zoom in and out easily, and it tells you each turn as it approaches. It knew the Village Market, too, and I could make that part of the route. Neat-o! Can't wait to take it out on the road and put it through its paces. It knows restaurants, hotels, gas stations, points of interest. It easily transfers from one car to another, a big selling point.

Another nice thing was a little talking dictionary/thesauras thingy that will double as a e-book reader. Haven't had much chance to play with it yet.

The chocolate bread pudding I made was not a great success-- the directions said to cook it til it sprang back when touched lightly in the middle, and that took an extra 20 minutes-- which left the thing very dry, hard and crumbly. I may just toss the rest of it out. It was very tasty, though, and I'm tempted to try it again. I made the white chocolate sauce, but used Fra Angelica since I had no Amaretto. Very good. It was a reasonably easy recipe.

I warmed the ham for about an hour. It was good, but too sweet for my taste. I prefer smoked ham to honey cured, but didn't have much choice in the spiral cut variety.

*************
Now it's tomorrow. I went in to watch a bit of Monday Night Football and got entrained by all their nostalgia. Will finish my Christmas cooking adventures tonight.

New Toys

Gainesville

A good Christmas here, though we got a late start. Champagne, crab on toast, the Soares traditions live on. I spent about nine hours cooking and dealing with the aftermath damage, but all went well. Didn't have any time to play with my new toys until very late, and then just a start. More about all this later.

Glad you had a nice social event today, Mom. And thanks for the call this morning.

Sandy, what a cool picture! I remember those candle/angel things, but not sure from where. Thanks for the puzzle! I look forward to setting up a card table, getting out the puzzle caddy, and having at.

More when it isn't after 2:00 AM.

Christmas day

These angels are a longtime favorite of Julia's and should be of Ben's, when he gets out here to see them. Maybe we can get him here for a while next week. For those who wish to add them to your Christmas arsenal, they came from the Vermont Country Store. Charlie remembers some from his childhood, but they seem to be lost and gone forever. Ditto the snow globe. I ordered one this year from VCS, but arrived broken, boo hoo. They'll replace it, but it's arriving next week, and will not be the design I wanted.

A few flakes of snow today, but mixed with a little rain. Enough snow on the ground to count as a white Christmas, for those who care.

Nice time yesterday at Mom's. Good big area for tree, opening presents, and playing with presents. Ben did well, considering the level of excitement. At one point we were in the bedroom together. He was sulking a little because Julia, who had been napping in a chair, told him, after he'd yelled "WAKE UP!!!" in her ear, to go away. As we were sitting on the bed he said, "I don't know, Grandma, I just miss you all the time." I was impressed. Though it's quite possible that his other grandma had said something rather like that to him in the morning. I still liked it though. He's quite the little parrot. He amused us all by announcing to their recipients the contents of the presents he'd picked out and wrapped with me (from him) as he handed the present to each person. He now gets the idea that people give each other presents, but the secret part escapes him so far. In fact he'd already told Marty what he bought for each person the minute she got home on our shopping day.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun. Last night Charlie and I had spareribs, a Christmas eve tradition in his family. Baked potato, broccoli, and hollandaise (not a tradition) completed the meal. Today we're eating dinner at the Woods', where we'll have a rib roast and whatever goes with that. Last year we had lutefisk there, but this year Dave has lost his good source of it, so it's beef. Florence (who did not go last year, though invited -- she did not know the Woods yet, and circumstances were, to say the least, very difficult) is not at all unhappy about the menu. If Charlie and I decide we want lutefisk we can make it sometime this week. We also should make some lefse. Wish we'd thought about it in time to make some to take to Ruth and Dave's.

I need to hang this up, since I have to make a dessert for today. The Woods had an enormous cocktail party on Friday night, their family dinner (at their house) last night, and us today. Insanity. Then Ruth goes to Georgia for a week (her brother is ill) and I take over her students, then with a friend to Machu Pichu the following week. I'd burn out if I behaved like that!

Merry Christmas to one and all, and best wishes for a fine year in 2006. A banner year for Suzy!

Muddling Through... Again

Gainesville

I've only missed two days, but it seems like a lot longer. It feels as if I've been carrying the weight of the holidays on my back-- maybe that's why I have an evil backache tonight. Many mistakes, both large and small. Taking the last week off just makes me feel guilty for not getting everything done-- I keep asking myself, what the hell did I DO all week? When I sit down and think about it, I can see how I spent my days, just nothing much seemed to come from it. (Cue Tom Petty's "It's Christmas" song.) Much spinning of wheels. Come next year I'm doing the FlyLady Holiday Cruise in earnest. Plus, I'll be retired.

It was messing up Marty's address AGAIN, and having who knows how many things for the kids go astray that broke my heart as well as my spirits. It's just like with computers-- once that corrupt bit gets in the system, it seems it can never be corrected.

We didn't get out to get the tree until yesterday morning-- and there was not a live tree to be had anywhere in town! Nothing but abandoned canopies where lots once were. After driving around over an hour I was ready to bag it for the year, but Bill insisted on getting an artificial tree-- my first. We went to Wal-Mart and got a 7 foot pre-lighted thing. I'd had everything set up for a real tree, so had to pack all that stuff away again. I felt like I was in some alternate reality: so strange to not put on the lights, not have needles breaking off everywhere, not getting sticky with pinetar, not fussing with watering cans. I must confess it was a lot easier and faster to get it decorated-- got it all done yesterday except for about 20 minutes worth today, and it looks great. Bill is happy as a clam-- he always had aritificial ones, but never complained about my retro nostalgia trip. My feelings are mixed. I miss the smell most of all. Maybe we could compromise and I could get a wreath to bring in for that.

Our nice cold weather finally gave out today and it was warm. How untimely-- the night we'd really LIKE to have the (artifical) fireplace going, and it's too warm for it.

I had to venture out shopping today for food, and for some desperation gift seeking too. Strangely, it was not all that crazy out there, which probably portends a poor year for the retailers. I did pick up something for Bill which satisfied the inner critic that I'd made a respectable effort if not exactly a heroic one.

I will just have a spiral cut ham-- how easy can it get? I plan to roast an assortment of veg, in particular some nice looking fingerling potatoes they've starting carrying at Publix. I'm going to roast everything I can find in the fridge and see what works-- should be an adventure, if nothing else.

Bill was fascinated by the Chocolate Bread Pudding on the cover of Cuisine at Home this month, so I am going to attempt it tomorrow. It will keep me busy until football starts at 5:00.

Speaking of which, quite a wonderful day, football-wise -- at least the Jags are in the play-offs for a change. Nice to see the Skins, the Fish, the Bucs, and even the Niners win, while Carolina and Tennessee bit the dust. Also glad to see Seattle doing so well.

Got all but about a dozen cards in the mail today while I was out. That dozen includes the ones I need to write notes for. Plus, I need to find addresses for those Bill wants to add this year. I thought I'd be so clever and send those newbies the ones left over from previous years, since they'd not have seen them-- only to realize, once I found them, that I'd written "Winter Solstice" plus THE YEAR on each of them-- D'oh!! Only a few of this year's cards got that inscription, since I discovered, too late to do anything about it, that the gold gel pen I favor for that had gone dry. It's this kind of little annoyance that has frazzed me out so badly this year, and really, when you think about it, they're all so trivial.

Thanks for the reports of the family Christmas Eve gathering. I sympathize with having to juggle multiple family obligations, but at least yours are all close at hand. Feel very much marooned down on the sandbar here. But for now...

I need to fill stockings for the cat and the man (both of whom have gone to bed). And that, too, has become a time-honored Christmas tradition.

I wish all of you out there in blogland a merry one.

Winter Solstice 2005

Gainesville

This picture was taken with my phone. Sorry the image isn't better. I need to get Bill to take one for me so you can appreciate the exquisite detail-- har har de har, as the kid would say.

Another day of slogging toward Christmas. Some work on the cards, some online elfing, some bricks-and-morter elfing, the latter not all that successful. This will not be one of my better years gift-giving wise. Next year I'll be able to do the FL Holiday Cruise up right. It's a good thing I took this week off, or there would have been nothing done at all.

Still don't have a tree. The plan is to go out tomorrow and get one, which leaves me a very few days to get the decorations on. Doubt if I'll get the whole 9 yards on, but at least they are packed in a rough priority order, so I'll have all the special ones on, at least. My very favorite ornament (and don't ask me why) is Joe Montana. He's always the first one on, after the lights. After him, I have many favorites. I keep thinking I should get a little tape recorder and talk into it as I unwrap each one, to have a record of them and what they mean to me. Maybe next year!

I made a most excellent stir-fry tonight-- sometimes you get it right without even trying. Used leftover pork tenderloin from last week and had some lovely shitake along with the default red and green peppers, onions, celery and jalapenos. Had it over broccoli slaw which I blanched for about six minutes. Fruit salad too.

We received a gift box of fruit that is heavy on pears. I love 'em, but Bill can do without them-- so I need ideas for what to do with about five Perfect Pairs. Suggestions anyone?

The sun has been out the past two days, but it's very cold. Supposed to dip below freezing tonight for the first time. How appropriate, as it is now officially "Winter" in the northern hemisphere. For us this means huddling around the space heaters, wearing lots of layers in the house, and having a cat on your lap the second you sit down. She's also taken to sleeping on the bed these chilly nights. It's strange to wake up and find you can't move-- only to realize she's hemmed you in.

Bill has a fascinating watch (he calls it his "hippy dippy" watch) that has a 24-hour dial with only one hand. It knows the date and the latitude, and so has light and dark for that day laid out in the dial's background. It's extremely neat-- even clerks in jewelry stores just goggle at it. The thing is smart enough to know about solstices and equinoxes-- and it does a little fireworks display when one of these occurs. We were hoping to catch it this year but we blew it.

Dad would have loved the watch. The solstice will now always include memories of him, as will January 3 and 28. Mom, you've done great this year. I'm very impressed, and very proud of you, too. The first year must be the hardest, and now that's behind you.

Meanwhile, back in 1952, you were painting plates. "Crab Pots," right? What was that like? Do you have any of those left?

[Vacation symbol]
Wednesday, July 2, 1952
184th Day--182 Days to Follow

Dear Diary
This morning Brenda came down. Mom went to paint plates. When she came home we had lunch and then went to Bren's for Kool-Aid. Bren got her swim-suit and we came back & had a swim. Our our cousins joined us. The all later left. After dinner Mom & us Kids went over to see Pa's cat They have a salad. [? illegible, really] Suzy

[Vacation symbol]
Thursday, July 3, 1952
185th Day--181 Days to Follow

Dear Diary
After we finished our morning chores, Brenda came down. We got out our Toni Dolls & Decided to give them permmenents. Brenda brought hers down. We gave them Toni's. Later we went in swimming. When Dad came home we bought our fireworks. We got a roman candle a fountain Jap. spark. cone, snakes & wizzer etc. etc. Suzy

Counting

Gainesville

Brief one tonight. Bill had to work late tonight and missed dinner. I was already deep into the Lentils w/ Sausage thing when he called. I finished cooking it, then ate it alone. He arrived after 9:30, and had some of it then. He liked it better than I did.

Then there was a long unwinding period, then some drinks. Somehow it got late.

I got started on the Cards today (addressed about 1/3 of them), got some laundry done, some planning. Need to add some of Bill's new collegaues and minions to the card list.

Bill is off starting tomorrow. It was sunny today, but VERY cold. Last Saturday was a record-setting rainfall for a single December day: 4.6"

Four Days and counting. Counting. COUNTING...

Christmas card blues (r)

Marty took this nice photo of Ben the other night. Thanks, Marty!

I don't have much time for this, since I need to be writing and sending Christmas cards. Hope to get them done before I go to RF today.

On the cooking front. When we came home from brunch on Sunday, we found a whole boneless ham and a pound of bacon on our front porch. It was accompanied by a note from a couple of guys from Minnesota who hunt turkeys on our land every year. It thawed enough by evening that we were able to slice it for sandwiches for dinner, but what's to happen to the rest of it? I think I'll have to refreeze some, certainly I'll shave up a bunch for Mom (thank goodness for her slicer!), I'll make split pea soup (a ton for the freezer, always nice to have around), Charlie will have ham salad in his lunches (he likes it, I hate it). I guess I'll make some mac & cheese with ham, etc., etc. Any ideas are welcome! Think I'll give a chunk to Marty, too.

Better than wild turkey offerings. We've had them before, and we don't like it. Too bad! All this potential meat running around in our yard!

Here's a recipe from a recent newspaper (Wolfgang Puck). I made it on Monday night, and we'll eat the leftovers tonight. It was quite good.



Ground steak with roquefort cheese and green peppercorn sauce

(this is half of the recipe, and it still made enough for two meals for us -- certainly the things could be frozen, either before cooking or with the sauce after cooking)

Patties:

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 shallot, minced (I used onion)
salt
pepper
3 oz crumbled roquefort (or bleu, which is what I used)
1 1/2 TB oil

To assemble patties:

In bowl, thoroughly mix ground beef, egg, shallots and salt and pepper to taste (this assumes you like tasting raw meat and eggs, of course -- guess carefully, maybe 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper?). Divide into 6 balls of equal size (I weigh them, but it's really not necessary -- in my batch, each ball weighed 4.4 ounces). Using thumb, make indentation in center of each ball. Stuff each hole with 1 TB (I used a little less) cheese. Pinch hole closed (be thorough about this). Flatten slightly to form plump patty.

To sauté patties:

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Heat heavy skillet (enameled or stainless steel is better than non-stick, since it makes the sauce better), large enough to hold all patties, over medium-high heat. Heat oil until it flows freely. Add patties to skillet. Sauté for three minutes per side or until burgers are nicely browned. Put in oven while finishing sauce. (This oven part is my addition -- the sautéeing left them too raw, because they're thick, but further sautéeing would burn them and wreck the
sauce base. They should finish cooking in the oven.)

Sauce:

1/2 cup port wine (we found port too sweet and will use Maderia or Marsala next time)
2 TB bottled green peppercorns, drained
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 TB unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

To make sauce:

Pour off fat from pan. (If you have to use non-stick, strain all the pieces of browned stuff out and put them back in the pan.)
Return pan to heat. Add wine. Using wooden spoon, stir and scrape to deglaze pan deposits. Add peppercorns and cream. Simmer briskly, stirring frequently, for about five minutes, until slightly thickened. Whisk in butter, a small piece at a time.

Serve sauce over patties.



This was a lot easier than it seems. Not too many ingredients, and very good. The oven time has not been tried yet, but I'm sure it'll work. For us, an overcooked hamburger is better than a raw one, anyway.

Yesterday I spent much of the day working on cards. I also made a huge cauldron of chili, since our friends from Germany and Switzerland who now live in Quebec, Tom and Vera, were coming, and we didn't know if they were staying for dinner. Tom was my student a number of years ago (and he did the tile and some other masonry for us a year and a half ago), and we have visited back and forth for years. They live in Quebec now (both in school there -- Vera's 32, Tom probably approaching 50 by now), but lived in RF off and on for years and have a place in France that Tom's rebuilding (Charlie and I visited there in '98), and they also live in Germany sometimes. Anyway, I shall henceforth refer to them only as Tom and Vera.

They did come, at about 5:30, ate cups of chili ("dinner" wasn't ready, since I was making Mom's chili-cheese cornbread, and it wasn't even in the oven yet). They are headed for Germany today for Christmas (Tom's mother is quite ill), and then will be back to stay with us for two days after Christmas before they drive back to Quebec. They left at a little after seven, just as the corn bread came out of the oven, to stay with friends in Hudson.

We were going to watch the Packers' game, but it was too discouraging, so we watched an interesting show about American movies in the seventies (IFC) and went to bed.

Now I shall get busy on my cards!

Half a Year

Gainesville

Yikes, very late again. Spent most of the evening elfing. It's convenient, for sure, but to does take a whole lot of nitpicky overhead.

Did the dental cleaning thing this morning (again, an A+ on my home care) and then downtown for my boss's holiday lunch. It was at Emiliano's, a Spanish place that's been there forever, and has great tapas. I decided to find out what real Vaca Frita ("fried cow") was like-- I'd tried to do this with leftover pot roast in the past, and now have a better idea-- more lime.

I was there early, so had time to spend slurping cappuchino at Starbuck's and reading my current book (E.J.'s Shadow Boxing).

Thawed out the last of the Soup base I made about a month ago, and did the Asian variation on it, which uses broccoli slaw as a noodle-substitute. Not terribly exciting, but warm and filling.

VERY cold here once again. I had on many layers, but they were not enough. Overcast and gloomy. I pity the poor snow birds who came to Florida seeking sunshine.f

And let's give a cheer for young Suzy who persisted an entire HALF A YEAR blogging every single day in the pre-blog era. You go, girl!

Just be warned that it doesn't last all that much longer.

[Vacation Symbol]
Monday, June 30, 1952
182nd Day--184 Days to Follow

Dear Diary
This afternoon we were playing with Joyce and Brenda when this beautiful collie came in the drive-way. We looked at its name plate & found Its name was "Lance" We reached Its owner at his office. He came and got it. What a beautiful dog. Then we all had a Lemonade. I have started my Drawing & Painting badge. Suzy

[Vacation Symbol]
[Above date: a big X]
[On either side of date:] 1/2
Tuesday, July 1, 1952
183rd Day--183 Days to Follow

This morning Mom went to paint plates and Sandy and I cleaned up the house real good. Even Moms & Dads room. Mom made us some Kool-Aid. We have a fund for fireworks and have 92 [cent-sign] so far. We cooked hot Dogs over the Barbque & ate out. (San & I) Then we went over to the farm and saw our cousins. it's late now. [faintly:] 1/2 yr. Suzy

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Here's how to code for color (in absence of format bar)

IMPORTANT: CHANGE ALL SQUARE BRACKETS TO ANGLE BRACKETS!!

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underlined? YESS! Finally figured this out.
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Pop the Cork

Gainesville

Sorry I don't have a picture to post tonight-- it's nice to see one at the top of the blog. I'm writing this on my laptop, and it doesn't have a stash of pix to choose from. I took a picture of the snowscene with my phone last night, but apparently made a mistake when I attempted to mail it to myself. Always something.

Got out to do the food shopping this afternoon, in miserable weather: upper 40's, persistent drizzle. At least we don't have to worry about fires-- everything is very soggy, and our swale is full once more.

I made Salmon with Orange Mustard Sauce from EdF 27-- very nice, and very easy. A good thing to have in the warm weather months, as it uses the mike. (Not so good on a Sunday, when the mike prevents TV-watching on the kitchen tube.

Speaking of which, the Colts finally lost. I'm glad, because I love the annual tradition of the Miami Dolphin players of '72 popping the champagne corke-- though at this point, it's just a myth perpetuated by ESPN. I loved that team. We didn't watch the game, as the Jags game was a lot more meaningful for us. Ordinarily I would pull for the 'Niners, but this one didn't mean anything for them. Quite a day-- the Skins dismantled Dallas! How sweet it is...

I have a dentist appt at 9:40 in the morning, so will keep this short. It's the long-delayed cleaning. I'll have to leave extra-early, as they have the streets badly torn up between here and there. In fact, for the next six months it will be impossible for us to get anywhere in Gaiesillve withouth horrendous traffic jams; we're just in the wrong place.

After dentist, I have a work-related holiday lunch downtown, then I plan to take the rest of the week as vacation.

Did not get a tree today, nor did Bill go to work as planned. Not sure when this will happen now. Didn't get started on addressing the cards either, so things are behind on all fronts. But judging from what Mom says, plus our own experience, it seems endemic.

Will pick up with the 52 diary again tomorrow.

Thunder Road Revisited

Gainesville


Here's my first post to Lotsa Flies. I think we're going to like it-- the ability to comment on our own and each others' posts should be fun, and I like having the subject lines display and be indexed. Many good things.

It rained all bloody day, getting torrential by late afternoon-- even some thunder and lightning. We do not expect this sort of thing this time of year.

I didn't go out shopping, but I did start working at 15 minute stints toward getting Christmas on the road. Got all the boxes broken down and taken out, and a huge bag of trash taken out. (Hurt my back doing this, alas, plus a nasty cardboard cut.)

Also got the desk in the library cleared off, some stuff shifted around, and the snow scene set up. Tried incorporating the new dictionary stand we got last year as a sort of ski slope, but I'm not happy with the result-- it just takes up too much space that can't be used to put stuff on. The flatlands are way too crowded for my taste. (The scene has been suffering from urban blight for some time-- too much town, not enough wildnerness.) And way too many characters. I had to banish about 10 of the wax ones to other spots in the house so they wouldn't be cheek by jowl.

Cleared the area for the tree, got out the stand, the bucket, and the waterproof under-rug. Will try to get out to get a tree tomorrow sometime. Bill tells me he needs to go into work tomorrow, and I have to food shop, so not sure how that is going to work out.

Oh yeah, I also got the sheets and towels changed and laundered in between the other stuff. Looking back on what I said I needed to do yesterday, I actually did pretty well. Even got the Christmas card address list updated and printed out-- all ready to start addressing envelopes tomorrow.

I had enough stuff in the house that needed to be used to make a meal. I fixed Lamb Chops with Pomegranate Red-Wine Sauce from Dec 05/Jan 06 Fine Cooking (Q&D), but used lamb leg slices instead of rib chops. It wasn't that great, but I think that's because I didn't cook it over high enough heat, and rib chops would have been better. Also made Bill's favorite Mexican Cole Slaw, and my favorite Orange/Cuke/Radish Salad, so we were well fed.

Forgot there was football this afternoon-- missed the early game (Tampa/NE) but caught most of the Giants/Chiefs game (go Tiki!) and am casually monitoring Denver/Buffalo. Another season almost over.

[Vacation symbol]
Saturday, June 28, 1952
180th Day--186 Days to Follow

Dear Diary
We cleaned up the front room real good today even to polishing the furniture and putting flowers and stuff around. We went to the show and saw "The Wizard of Oz" For the Third time. It was better than ever tho. They had the Hit Parade on the Ship United States tonite. "Kiss of Fire" is still first. Today it has drizzled off & on. Suzy

[Vacation symbol]
Sunday, June 29, 1952
181st Day--185 Days to Follow

Dear Diary
It was raining this morning, but this afternoon it was Hot. We went down to Joyce's this morning for a while. This afternoon we saw "California Conquest" starring Cornell Wild and Teresa Wright. Also "Bells on their Toes" (sq. to C. by Dozen) starring Jeanne Crain, Myra Loy, Debra Paget, Jeff Hunter, Edward Arnold & Barbara Bates. Mom & Dad went to see it tonite.
Suzy

Chique

Here's a view of Oakland from Alameda, early in the morning. A nice little stroll over for coffee.



I always thought the name of that horse was Cheeky (an appropriate name)! I remember that test all too well, although I wasn't there. The couch was that blue plaid pull-out thing at the farm, I'll bet. I remember the two of us sleeping in it, but not the three of us.

Friday I went to a school in Hudson, the last now until January. Then Friday night Bill Sandve came for dinner, first we've seen of him since he got back on Thanksgiving (though Mom and I ran into him and his mom in Kowalski's on our last shop). I had a sirloin tip I'd bought at Kowalski's, so I roasted that. I also had quickly whipped up a chocolate thing I found on the inside of a Baker's semi-sweet chocolate box (desperation! I had to do this before I went to Hudson, and no milk in the house, limiting my dessert possibilities), called fudgy brownie torte. Super easy, and very good. For vegetables I elected some leftover corn (our corn packets were huge this summer) and some brussels sprouts. And what Charlie has dubbed "false potatoes." This is pommes dauphine, a cream puff dough with potatoes, deep fried in globs. I'm sure I've mentioned them in these pages before. They were wonderful. And while I was messing around with the potato things, the roast, sitting on the hottray, produced wonderful juice, which I served as is. A fine meal. Bill's very interesting to talk to, of course. His next assignment will be in Afghanistan.

Yesterday after a brief visit to Mom, I went to work with Charlie. He's working on a house in the woods in the middle of nowhere west of town, remodeling the kitchen. The current part of it is putting in a bay window, so he mostly worked outside. It was cold! I stayed mostly inside, handing him stuff through the window hole and doing some cleaning up. It was cold in the house, too. The house is empty (the owners are getting it ready to sell), and they normally keep the thermostat at 50. We eased it up to sixty, but with the big hole in the side of the house it was awfully cold inside, too. I spent a lot of time in a folding chair wrapped up in a sleeping bag, reading, waiting for Charlie's next call for help.

Dinner last night was leftover sirloin tip, some leftover wedge potatoes (a kind of hashbrowns cooked in a pie plate), leftover brussels sprouts. Mercifully easy. It felt good to get the fires going when we got home.

Today I am trying to motivate myself to do Christmas cards. I've chosen a couple of photos to tack on, but the note will be short. Charlie's back out at the house in the country, but today he has real help, a schoolteacher who has rented out there off and on. They'll get the window in today. I just hated the thought of him being out there working outside in freezing cold, alone, where the cell phones barely work, and where no one is around. Most of the rest of the work will be inside, at least.

Appending a photo I just took on the deck.